New Products and Industry News

Unit-dose of ointments new to market

   Healthpoint, Ltd. (Fort Worth, Tex.) introduced the first unit-dose packaging of prescription ointments Panafil® and Accuzyme® in barcoded 6-g units to complement the standard 30-g tubes. Accuzyme is an enzymatic debriding ointment used to treat necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, and burns by removing dead tissue without harming living tissue. Panafil is a healing, debriding, and deodorizing ointment that also controls local inflammation. The unit doses are available as of February 1 to distributor/drug wholesalers in the United States.

   For more information, visit www.healthpoint.com.

New topical skin adhesive available

   Ethicon products (Somerville, NJ) announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new, thicker formula of Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate). The new formulation, High Viscosity Dermabond Topical Skin Adhesive, offers better application control, especially important on certain areas of the body such as around the eyes and nose.

   The product is a liquid skin adhesive only intended for topical application to hold closed easily approximated skin edges of wounds from surgical incisions, including punctures from minimally invasive surgery and simple, thoroughly cleansed, trauma-induced lacerations. It may be used in conjunction with, but not in place of, deep dermal stitches.

   Research studies have concluded that wounds and incisions treated with the adhesive lead to excellent cosmetic results, similar to those with suturing, and provide patients with a fast and relatively painless closure. Studies also show that patients receiving the adhesive were less likely to require anesthesia, did not require the physicians to wait for the onset of anesthesia, and had faster wound closure times.

   The product is contraindicated for use on any wounds with evidence of active infection, gangrene, or decubitus etiology. It should not be used on mucosal surfaces or across mucocutaneous junctions (eg, lips, oral cavity), or on skin that is regularly exposed to body fluids or with dense natural hair (eg, scalp). Patients with a known hypersensitivity to cyanoacrylate or formaldehyde should not be treated with the product. It also should not be applied to the eye or used in high skin tension areas or across areas of increased skin tension, such as knuckles, elbows, or knees, unless the joint will be immobilized during the skin healing period.

   Visit www.dermabondtraining.com for more information.

New antifungal barrier cream for skin protection incontinence

   Swiss-American Products, Inc. (Dallas, Tex.) announces the availability of Elta Trivase, a new antifungal barrier cream used to protect skin against urinary and fecal incontinence episodes.

   The product uses a triple action approach to form a waterproof barrier against moisture; therefore, eliminating the need to apply other barrier creams to keep the antifungal in place. The active ingredient, 2% miconazole nitrate, helps prevent and treat fungal infections including Candida. Zinc oxide, petrolatum, and dimethicone contribute to a long-lasting waterproof barrier. The third component is a proprietary vegetable enzyme blend that helps remodel the epidermal layer, soothe skin, and minimize irritation. This approach promotes the maintenance of healthy skin

   The product is applied with minimal drag and adheres to previously wet and moist areas. Any standard cleanser can be used for product removal.

   For more information, visit the website at www.elta.net or call 800-633-8872.

Type-1 collagen product available

   Advanced Wound Care's (Lighthouse Point, Fla.) CellerateRX is a medical hydrolysate of type-1 collagen that accelerates healing, reduces pain and bleeding, and promotes and accelerates cellular regeneration by replicating the natural fibro-connective template. The product also promotes natural autolysis and autolytic debridement by rehydrating and softening necrotic tissue and eschar. Biocompatible, biodegradable, and nonantigenic, it may be left in the wound site through multiple bandage changes. It protects the wound bed and newly formed granulation tissue and absorbs wound exudates. Available in powder and gel form, it easily conforms to any wound site.

   For more information, call (888) 933-8063.

Increased therapy options with new mattress replacement system

   SenTech™ Medical Systems, Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) introduced a new alternating pressure and low-air-loss mattress system. The Stage IV® Millennium 3 Mattress Replacement System offers therapy options and includes a new graphic display, interactive set-up screen, audio and visual alarm, hospital-grade mattress, filter maintenance alert system, a help screen, and other advanced features (adjustable Fowler boost, cycle time, and maximum firm pressure).

   For more information, call (800) 474-4225. 

New corporate website launced

   Medicalhelplines.com Inc (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), a company that specializes in providing online niche medical information and services, launched its corporate website (www.medicalhelplines.com) and began compiling its specialized websites - the first of which was www.woundcarehelpline.com - early in 2002. With many pages of original content created by experts, interactive educational areas, educational videos and other tools, the company hopes the website will become a "one-stop-shop" for a variety of niche medical areas. Two interactive chat sites that focus on niche medical topics were recently introduced: woundchat.com and ostomychat.com.

   The sites are designed for patients who want information to better educate and empower themselves to become actively involved in their care; healthcare providers who need education to keep up with the latest treatment developments and to provide better care for their patients; and payors and institutions needing access to educated healthcare providers to manage costs and provide high quality care. 

Convexity solutions increase options

   With the launch of Assura® Convex Light, Coloplast Corp. (Atlanta, Ga.), becomes one of the few suppliers with a full range of convex solutions for ostomy patients. Designed for users with flush or slightly retracted stomas, the product has a flexible, soft, and secure new adhesive that provides low pressure on the abdomen. It is ideal for use with deep skin folds and scars. The product is available in one- and two-piece systems with pre-cut and cut-to-fit sizes.

   For more information, call (800) 533-0464, visit www.us.coloplast.com or email usmedweb@coloplast.com.

Loan forgiveness proposed to ease nursing shortage

   In a bipartisan effort to generate an increase in registered nurses nationwide, U.S. Representative Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) joined Tom Tancredo (R-CO) to introduce HR 501, The Nurse Loan Forgiveness Act of 2003. This legislation would establish a loan forgiveness program to create an incentive for individuals entering the nursing profession. Nurses who stay in a medical facility or approved healthcare setting for at least 5 years would be eligible for up to $17,000 in loan forgiveness.

   HR 501 is intended to encourage young people to enter and continue in the nursing profession. As entry-level nursing schools continue to decline, this legislation would provide an incentive to study, work, and more importantly, stay in the nursing profession. In addition, this bill would enhance patient care and create a new generation of healthcare professionals.

   Healthcare facilities across the United States are experiencing a loss of full-time registered nurses. As aging nurses retire, not enough people are willing to enter the field to replace them. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing estimates that within the next 10 years, the average age of registered nurses is predicted to be 45.4 years old, with more than 40% of the registered nurse work force expected to be older than 50.

   Currently, more than 126,000 hospital nursing positions need to be filled.

Guideline accepted by national agency

   The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN, Glenview, Ill.), the leading professional association devoted to nurses who specialize in the management and rehabilitation of people with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence, announced that their Guideline for the Management of Patients with Lower-Extremity Arterial Disease has been accepted by the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC). The NGC is a comprehensive database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and related documents produced by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research [AHCPR]), in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP). The NGC has stringent criteria that must be met for a clinical practice guideline to be included.

   The Guideline for the Management of Patients with Lower-Extremity Arterial Disease is the first in a series of four documents relating to wound care to be released in a 2-year period of time. This clinical practice guideline is intended for use by physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals who work with adults who have lower-extremity arterial disease (LEAD). The guideline is meant to support clinical practice by providing consistent research-based clinical information with the goal of improved cost-effective patient outcomes. The WOCN is a leader in the establishment of clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with wounds, ostomies and incontinence.

   Developed by an impressive panel representing a wide range of experience and clinical practice backgrounds, the guideline is based on 167 articles. A level-of-evidence rating has been assigned to specific recommendations based on the rating system used by the AHRQ along with a practical application format.

   Copies of the Guideline can be obtained by writing the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, 4700 W. Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025-1485 or through the WOCN website, www.wocn.org.

ConvaTec award given to OWM editor

   As part of its continuing tradition of encouraging healthcare professionals to make science-bound wound and skin care decisions, ConvaTec created the ConvaTec Research Scholarship. The goal of this grant is to help healthcare professionals conduct prospective studies, retrospective research, or literature reviews in the area of wound and skin care and to support healthcare professionals dedicated to the area of patient care.
This year, the award is being presented to Sharon A. Aronovitch, PhD, RN, CWOCN, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, and Contributing Editor for Ostomy/Wound Management. The scholarship will help her complete her study to determine the specific factors associated with causation of pressure ulcers that appear immediately following a surgical procedure.
Ostomy/Wound Management congratulates Dr. Aronovitch on the past achievements that qualified her for this award and wishes her much success in her future endeavors.